The latest news in the search for Mark Bosworth is that his suspected medical condition is likely worsening with each passing hour.
That sense of urgency has led to pleas from his wife Julie Bosworth for the public’s help in stepping up search efforts. As I write this, friends, family and volunteers are calling hospital emergency rooms across the country in hopes that he might have turned up.
Calls have gone to hospitals in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota and Minnesota, with the aim to reach all 48 contiguous states. The hope is that Mark is already getting treatment at a hospital but checked in under a wrong name (due to his confused state), or as a John Doe.
The reason his medical condition is urgent is that doctors have determined that his recent battles with cancer, combined with how he was acting prior to his disappearance on September 16th, means that his cancer has likely returned and is putting pressure on his brain.
Thankfully, Mark’s case has gotten the attention of several national media outlets including the Associated Press and ABC News…
Trucking companies have also joined the effort to find him. In a statement released by the family this afternoon, Debra Dunn of the Oregon Trucking Association said, “We are on the road at all hours, every day of the week, thus hope one of the drivers will see Mark.”
Tomorrow, Mark’s large network of Portland friends will be able to do something to show they support the search effort. The Ride for Mark Bosworth witll leave at 10:00 am from Peninsula Park in North Portland. A 10 mile loop will bring riders back to the park for a post-ride picnic.
Meanwhile, Mark’s family and his close friends are trying to cope with the reality of his medical condition and the fact that it’s been nearly two weeks since he disappeared.
Justin Houk, who has worked with mark for the past 12 years at Metro’s Data Resource Center, told me on Sunday that he still thinks Mark’s out there. “I’ve been thinking about how he would want me to approach this… I know he’d want us to support each other and not give up everything else to look for him… But to not stop looking either.”
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We can’t stop looking. If you haven’t spread the word yet. Do it now. Go to FindMark.org for the latest information or check out the Find Mark Bosworth Facebook page.
video not working, “Media not found”
Works for me; same clip also here, and another national headline here: Hospitals Across the Country Checked for Missing Oregon Cyclist (Oct 4).
Thoughts to you, Mark and family.